Har Dutt Sharma

The Samkhyakarika (Sanskrit: सांख्यकारिका, Sāṁkhyakārikā) is the earliest extant text of the Samkhya school of Indian philosophy. Dated to the Gupta era (roughly 4th or 5th century C.E) and it is attributed to Ishvara Krishna (Iśvarakṛṣṇa, 350 C.E).
In the text, the author described himself as being in the succession of the disciples from the great sage Kapila, through Āsuri and Pañcaśikha. His Sāṁkhya Kārikā consists of 72 ślokas written in the Ārya metre. The last three ślokas were probably added later.
The earliest important commentary on his Kārikā was written by Gaudapada.

Authorship

Samkhya is an important pillar of Indian philosophical tradition, called shad-darshana, however, of the standard works of Samkhya only three are available at present. These are: Samkhya Sutras attributed to the founder of Samkhya, Kapila; Tattva Samasa, which some authors (Max Muller) consider prior to Samkhya Sutras and Samkhya Karika of Ishvara Krishna. Ishvara Krishna follows several earlier teachers of Samkhya and is said to come from Kausika family. He taught before Vasubandhu and is placed following Kapila, Asuri, Panca Shikha, Vindhyavasa, Varsaganya, Jaigisavia, Vodhu, Devala and Sanaka.

Three causes of pain

The Samkhyakarika's implied premise is that "Every being in the world without exception seeks happiness" (Introduction by Swami Virupakshananda). Despite of that universal tendency, human experience is subjected to the three-fold causes of pain (duhkha-traya): adhyatmika, pertaining to self; adhibhautika, caused by external influences; and, adhidaivika, caused by supernatural agencies. Existence of those sources of pain is the reason for jijnansa, a desire for inquiry about the means of removing, terminating them. Therefore, the existence of duhkha-traya is the reason for the inquiry about the means of permanent removal of pain.… (altro)